Wipro, whose customers include Apple Inc and BP PLC
, said net profit for the three months ended December rose
to 17.16 billion rupees ($316 million) from 14.56 billion rupees
a year earlier. That compares with the average estimate of 16.45
billion rupees in a poll of 20 analysts, according to Thomson
Reuters data.

Strong third-quarter results by Infosys, Tata Consultancy
and HCL Technologies Ltd have led investors to
anticipate more good news. Even before Wipro announced its
earnings, UBS on Thursday upgraded its stock to 'buy' from
'sell,' confident that the software services export sector is
headed for a recovery.